Ohio State freshman Jack Stevens (19) hits the ball over the net at the game against George Mason on Jan. 18 at St. John Arena in Columbus. Credit: Ethan Clewell | Senior Reporter

Ohio State men’s volleyball team recorded its fourth-consecutive straight-set defeat against Lindenwood on Friday, 25-23, 25-19, 25-17.

The Buckeyes (4-9, 0-3) fell to the Lions for the first time since the series began in 2013.

After a close first set, a second-set kill by freshman outside hitter Jack Stevens brought the Buckeyes within a point of Lindenwood, but four Ohio State errors and a kill by freshman outside hitter Phil Swartz secured the Lions victory, 25-19.

The Buckeyes struggled offensively for most of the night, tallying 17 attack errors and a .190 hitting percentage.

Stevens led the Buckeyes with nine kills, adding a block and an ace.

Lindenwood used 10 blocks and .462 hitting percentage to keep momentum and force the Buckeyes to play from behind for most of the night.

Swartz led the Lions with 12 kills and an ace, adding three blocks and a dig. Redshirt sophomore opposite hitter Charley Hlavin was also a key to Lindenwood success, providing nine kills, seven digs, three blocks and an ace.

Hlavin used a kill and an ace to put the Lions up early in the first set, 10-7. Aces by freshman setter Luke Lentin, junior outside hitter Reese Devilbiss and sophomore middle blocker Austin Gerwig helped spur the Buckeyes offense, but it wasn’t enough, as Lindenwood took the first set 25-23.

Ohio State was successful from the service stripe all night, clearing nine aces by six different Buckeyes.

Lentin struck a team-high four aces on the night, adding 23 assists and two digs.

Yet, Ohio State continued to struggle to keep it’s serves in-bounds, as 18 service errors ensured the Buckeyes would face an uphill battle as they tried to mount a comeback in each set.

Down 15-12 in the third set, two service errors stopped scoring runs for the Buckeyes, allowing the Lions’ lead to balloon to seven points, giving them the 25-17 third set triumph.

The Lions hit .700 in the third set, with 10 kills and four blocks. Ohio State’s three aces and .286 hitting percentage weren’t enough to overcome its’ four attack errors and four service errors.

The Buckeyes will face Quincy on the road at 8 p.m. tomorrow.